When the ancient Polynesians invented surfing, they often used a paddle to help them navigate. Fast-forward a few millennia, and Stand-Up Paddleboarding, or SUP, finds itself trendy again. Part of its increasing popularity is that standing upright allows surfers to spot waves more easily and thus catch more of them, multiplying the fun factor. Paddling back to the wave becomes less of a strain as well. The ability to cruise along on flat inland water, surveying the sights, is another advantage. Finally, its a good core workout. If youre sold on the idea, schedule an intro SUP lesson, free with board and paddle rental, and you may find yourself riding the waves like a Polynesian king.More

Many of us remember coming home from our elementary schools with freshly glazed pinchpots, cups, or whatever else our young imaginations could conjure up. Saturday mornings at the Randall Museum can bring that memory back, or create a new one for the youngsters. Ceramics make great gifts — especially on Mothers' and Fathers' Day. Hop on board for the Randall's once-weekly class, and for $6 and two weeks to have your work fired and glazed, you'll have all the materials you need.More

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The Tenderloin was set to lose another irreplaceable when the Ha-Ra Club — a low-ceilinged dive of the slummiest reputation, long fallen into neglect, but nevertheless beloved for strong pours, idiosyncratic bartenders, and a long history — was taken over by the crew who run Ace's and Dobbs Ferry.

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Housing
Foreclosures Crisis' Effect on the Election Could Be Deeper Than Just Policy Debate

The 2012 general election will be the first since the national rate of mortgage delinquencies rose above 10 percent. While it seems the fever broke in early 2010, when nearly 15 percent of home loans were past due, the country's foreclosure rate is still twice as high as it was pre-recession.

This connection is pretty intuitive: Homeowners who get pushed out of their houses and into another district, city, county, or state will have to re-register to vote once they've established a new permanent residency. This process becomes complicated if the person has not yet landed in a permanent residence by the time registration deadline rolls around -- especially if that person lives in a state that requires valid ID (with a current address) to get into the voting booth.

Voters who have been forced out of their foreclosed home can have difficulty documenting their residency if they need to update or change their registration on or before Election Day. If the voter has no stable new residence -- for example, if he or she has been staying with relatives or friends -- it may be difficult to obtain the types of official documents with the voter's name and current address that are necessary to re-register at the address of the temporary housing.

Californians have it a bit easier than those in some other parts of the country. Here, as well as in 17 other states, foreclosed-upon folks are allowed to use their former home's address until they find a permanent abode. This is especially key considering more than 3 percent of housing units in California were in foreclosure in 2011, the third-highest rate in the nation. The Golden State's voter registration deadline is Oct. 22.

The foreclosure crisis' full effect on voting patterns remains unclear -- there haven't been many elections to study. But bits of information are starting to emerge. About a month ago, for instance, researchers at UC Riverside released a study that found that residents of neighborhoods with high foreclosure rates are less likely to vote -- possibly due to community instability and the anxiety over paying the mortgage on a house with a free-falling market value.

In an election where minority voter turnout could determine the outcome in certain key states -- Virginia, North Carolina, Nevada, Florida-- the role of the foreclosure crisis may go deeper than just policy debate.

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Sub Pop recording artists 'clipping.' brought their brand of noise-driven experimental hip hop to the closing night of 2016's San Francisco Electronic Music Fest this past Sunday. The packed Brava Theater hosted an initially seated crowd that ended the night jumping and dancing against the front of the stage. The trio performed a set focused on their recently released Sci-Fi Horror concept album, 'Splendor & Misery', then delved into their dancier and more aggressive back catalogue, and recent single 'Wriggle'.
Opening performances included local experimental electronic duo 'Tujurikkuja' and computer music artist 'Madalyn Merkey.'"